Trees
in the genus Abies are called "true firs" to distinguish
them from the Douglas-fir and other trees with similar
names. All of the true firs are evergreen. North America has 9 of the 40
species that occur worldwide in the Northern Hemisphere. This genus tends
to be conical with more or less whorled branches. All trees in this genus
have needle-like leaves and cones that stand erect on the limbs until disintegrating
in late summer.

Abies bornmulleriana
Turkish Fir

Occurs in a population disjunct from Nordmann fir at high elevations in northwestern Turkey.

Abies concolor
White Fir
This hardy species of fir does well in hot, dry conditions. The
needles are blue-green in color and longer than other North American
firs. They are often upswept on the branch, resembling the ribs
of a boat. This species is native to mountain slopes from Oregon
to Baja, California, and east to New Mexico.

Abies grandis
Grand Fir
A native fir found throughout the Willamette valley and western Oregon.
It only makes up a small percentage of the total forests, but it is
very tolerant of shade and tends to produce the final stage of forest
succession.

Abies procera
Noble Fir
A somewhat fast growing evergreen native to the northwestern United
States, this fir is blue-green in color and thrives in cool, damp
climates. Its cones are distinctive: cylindrical, green to olive-brown,
bracts longer than the cone scales. A close-up look at the needles
of this tree will show white bands on both sides; this gives the Noble
Fir its bluish color.